Chapter 25: Qi and Blood Like Wolf Smoke

Wei Yan truly demonstrated the strength of the second-ranked on the Maple Forest City Dao Merit List, leading the charge into the depths of Xiaolin Town, practically crashing headfirst into the horde of wandering souls.

However, all the wandering souls were shattered with a single blow, those who stood in his way scattered.

He seemed to be enveloped in a layer of cold light, a manifestation of the extreme concentration of metal-elemental Qi. His steps did not falter in the slightest, as if nothing could impede his progress.

His long blade sliced and diced, accompanied by continuous sharp whistles, as if even the air itself was being torn apart.

The others followed behind him, only needing to prevent the ghosts from closing in from the sides, greatly reducing the risk.

Jiang Wang and Zhao Rucheng flanked either side, intentionally or unintentionally protecting Ling He and Du Yehut in the middle. Ling He was alright, but Du Yehut's face was flushed crimson. However, he knew this was not the time to act rashly, and simply charged forward in silence.

Time seemed to blur as they pressed on. After an unknown period, it was difficult to discern direction in the gradually gathering thick fog. Even time itself seemed to lose meaning. The wandering souls encountered so far were not particularly strong, falling within the capabilities of a ninth-grade extraordinary cultivator. However, these eighth and ninth-grade cultivators did not have abundant Dao Yuan in their Tongtian Palace and could not withstand a prolonged battle. They feared that if they continued to fight for much longer, they would be unable to cast Dao techniques, potentially damaging their Dao Swirl and harming their foundation.

It was at this moment that Wei Yan stopped.

Based on rough estimations, they were soon to reach the very center of Xiaolin Town. Jiang Wang remembered that it was a marketplace where people from nearby villages gathered on market days, making it a lively place.

Wei Yan's stop was not because he didn't want to continue, but because a wall of fog blocked his path, halting his blade.

Unlike the pervasive fog encountered along the way, this fog wall had a tangible presence and was exceptionally sturdy. With the sharpness of Wei Yan's blade, even a wall of copper and iron should be cleaved through, but this fog wall remained immovable.

No matter how many attacks landed, they were like stones sinking into the sea.

Wei Yan was anxious. He keenly sensed that something was amiss behind this fog wall. It wasn't just a simple act of evil; it might even affect his entire life.

But at this moment, with his blade drawn, he was in a difficult position to advance or retreat!

"Does anyone have a method to break through this? Any attempt is welcome!" Wei Yan said in a deep voice, "The situation is urgent and cannot be delayed. I will take full responsibility."

Immediately, one disciple walked directly to the fog wall and began to loosen his belt without a word.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Someone next to him grabbed him.

"Don't stop me!" This person said with conviction, "There are many ghosts here, and the Yin Qi is heavy. Virgin boy's urine can ward off evil spirits and ghosts. I have not yet lost my original Yang, so naturally, I must take the lead!"

This person was named Huang Azhan, an inner disciple selected from the previous session. He was a drinking buddy of Du Yehut, had a good personality, but wasn't very bright.

Wei Yan frowned and waited for him to finish urinating, but the fog wall didn't budge an inch. Only the momentary intense stench reminded everyone of what had happened.

"That's not right. Is it not enough?" After holding back for a while, this person turned around and called out, "Does anyone else have a virgin body? Come on! Of course, Zhao Rucheng doesn't need to come; your Yin Qi is too heavy. Du Yehut, hurry up! Don't hold back. With your looks, you're destined to be a virgin until old age, your Yang Qi must be sufficient!"

One sentence mocked two people. If the situation wasn't urgent, Du Yehut would have punched his dog head.

Zhao Rucheng grinned and said, "Azhan, think again, is it that virgin boy's urine isn't enough? Do you need virgin boy's blood?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Azhan stroked his chin and nodded, as if he was seriously considering the feasibility.

Wang Changxiang, who had been somewhat weak since using the Breath-Blowing Tornado, said, "When the tornado blew away the fog just now, I observed that the wandering souls in Xiaolin Town formed a simple Nine Palaces Formation. I wasn't sure at the time, but now, with the obstruction in this central palace position, I'm certain of it."

"How do we break it?" Wei Yan asked directly.

"The formation setter wasn't very meticulous, and with so many ghosts, it's difficult to control them like limbs. So the solution is simple." Wang Changxiang said with a wry smile, "Break the formation eyes of the other eight palaces, and this central palace will collapse on its own."

Wei Yan immediately said, "Wang Changxiang, stay here to observe the situation, and leave four others to listen to his command and support each team at any time. I will go to Kan Palace myself, and the others divide into seven groups, each breaking one palace. Finally, we will gather here in front of this central palace."

The great division of Heaven commences with Yang and concludes with Yin. Yang originates from Zi, and Yin originates from Wu. Therefore, the Grand One descends through the Nine Palaces, starting from Kan Palace.

Kan Palace is located directly to the north, belongs to the Water element, and is not the easiest palace to deal with for Wei Yan, but he is powerful, so he doesn't need to consider these things.

"I need to remind everyone." Wang Changxiang added, "The ghosts we have been clearing along the way are ordinary, but there must be vengeful ghosts or fierce ghosts at the formation eyes. Everyone, please act according to your abilities."

Zhao Lang only followed Wei Yan's lead and was the first to respond, "In that case, I will go to Kun Palace."

Li Jianqiu was even more straightforward, already heading west with his hand on his sword, "Leave Zhen Palace to me, you guys can allocate the rest yourselves."

The strong stand up and take responsibility, this is the backbone of cultivators.

Jiang Wang and Ling He exchanged glances with the others and said, "My brothers and I will take care of Xun Palace."

He didn't say this presumptuously. Their combat strength has been visible along the way. Although he has not yet established his foundation, he is faintly above ordinary ninth-grade cultivators, relying on the Purple Qi East Comes Sword Art.

And Xun Palace belongs to the Wood element, and metal can fell wood, it is the right time. The remaining Zhen Palace, which belongs to the Wood element, has already been taken care of by Li Jianqiu. It would be more difficult for him and Zhao Rucheng to perform in other palaces.

From another perspective, the appearance of such a situation in Xiaolin Town means that the impact of the event will not be small. The amount of effort they contribute to this trip will be recorded. Ling He, Du Yehut, and Zhao Rucheng are all at a crucial moment in accumulating Dao merits to exchange for Opening Meridian Pills. If they can solve a palace this time, it will surely push them forward a big step.

Everyone's choices strictly followed the order of the Nine Palaces. The Nine Palaces are two and four on the shoulders, six and eight on the feet, three on the left and seven on the right, nine on the head and one on the foot. From one to nine, they are Kan, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Zhong, Qian, Dui, Gen, and Li respectively.

Along the way, fighting as they went, Jiang Wang and Zhao Rucheng's extraordinary swordsmanship had already been recognized by everyone, so no one said anything more. The remaining twenty Dao Academy disciples were just five groups of five, choosing the remaining four palaces.

It must be said that Wang Changxiang's Breath-Blowing Tornado made a huge contribution, allowing everyone to find their direction again in such thick fog. This was a prerequisite for breaking the entire ghost formation.The Xun Palace is located in the southeast. Jiang Wang advanced with his sword in the thick fog. When he vaguely saw the restaurant in front of him, he felt certain. The only restaurant in Xiaolin Town was in the southeast direction, so they were on the right path.

"Be careful." Ling He suddenly said, "I feel that there is something very dangerous ahead."

Ling He's intuition was always accurate, and the others dared not take it lightly.

Jiang Wang nodded: "That should be the resentful ghost that Senior Brother Wang mentioned, which also represents the eye of the Xun Palace's formation. Rucheng, how many forms of the Azure Qi Comes East Sword Killing Technique have you mastered?"

"I have mastered them all proficiently," Zhao Rucheng said.

Jiang Wang had nothing to say about this guy's talent, so he directed, "I'll make the first move later, and you follow up. Unleash your strongest attack immediately and be sure to kill the target in the shortest amount of time. Boss and Second watch out for the surroundings and don't let other wandering souls rush over. Don't hesitate to burst your blood Qi if necessary."

Before foundation building, if one did not master extraordinary means like the Azure Qi Comes East Sword, the only way to damage ghosts was by bursting blood Qi. However, Qi and blood are the foundation of a person, and bursting blood Qi puts a great burden on the body. Therefore, Ling He and Du Yehou had been very restrained along the way.

But they did not hesitate at all with Jiang Wang's command. That was the tacit understanding developed through countless battles side by side.

Although they could not see too far in the fog, the brothers quickly outlined the target area and spread out to approach.

At this moment, a sharp scream suddenly rang out, as if in their ears. In front of Jiang Wang, a sword light suddenly lit up!

Clang!

Azure Qi Comes East Sword, Killing Technique First Form!

A scarlet claw was just blocked by the long sword, and the resentful ghost of the Xun Palace position appeared in front of the group.

The wandering souls they had encountered along the way were not much different from humans in life, except that they were ethereal and pale. But this resentful ghost was completely different, it already looked like another creature.

It had a green face and fangs, and was nearly twelve feet tall, tall and strong. Its muscles were bulging, and a pair of claws were scarlet, with blood dripping from the tips of one of them.

Jiang Wang knew that in the thick fog, the resentful ghost's perception must be stronger than theirs. So he had been waiting in full force, with his sword ready to strike. This was how he was able to resist the resentful ghost's attack at the first moment.

But he still underestimated the power of this resentful ghost.

In the brief gap created by the breath tornado, they had seen more than a thousand wandering souls? Yet only these eight fierce ghosts guarding the Nine Palaces had emerged. Whether artificially cultivated or naturally killed, the resentful ghosts born from them must be extraordinary.

Although Jiang Wang blocked the first attack, he was still grazed by the tip of another claw, tearing a piece of flesh from his left arm.

The blood dripping from the resentful ghost's claw came from his wound. Fortunately, the wound was not too big.

At the same time as Jiang Wang was attacked and counterattacked, Zhao Rucheng's sword also moved!

The first form of the Azure Qi Comes East Sword Killing Technique emphasized speed, so that the attack could be like thunder and the defense like lightning. The Son of Heaven unleashed the wrath of thunder, which was instantaneous but shocked the world!

Before the resentful ghost could taste the torn flesh, Zhao Rucheng's sword had pierced into its abdomen.

Zhao Rucheng and his sword were stuck on the resentful ghost, like a monkey hanging on a person because of the difference in size.

The resentful ghost wailed in pain and suddenly lowered its head.

Not good!

Zhao Rucheng was shocked. He kicked the resentful ghost's swinging claw, somersaulted in the air, and abandoned his sword to escape. The resentful ghost was about to chase, but Jiang Wang's figure had flashed like thunder in front of it.

Azure Qi Comes East Sword Killing Technique Second Form, its key was accuracy.

Jiang Wang was already far away, but the sword light had just crossed the resentful ghost's eyeball.

At that moment, a black-green liquid exploded like a burst, and the resentful ghost let out an extremely miserable scream. This creature, which was originally confused, stared fiercely at Jiang Wang with its only remaining right eye, full of hatred.

It simply did not cover its eye, allowing the black-green liquid to flow. Still with Zhao Rucheng's swaying sword stuck in its body, it strode towards Jiang Wang!

Ling He, who was driving away wandering souls outside the battle circle, shot his sword towards Zhao Rucheng in the midst of his busyness, "Catch!"

Zhao Rucheng leaped up, grabbed Ling He's sword in the air, and shot out at the resentful ghost's back again like a shooting star chasing the moon. This sword pierced in from the back of its neck and out from the resentful ghost's chin, resting on its chest!

The resentful ghost roared and swung its claw back, and because of the angle, this claw was definitely slower than before. So Zhao Rucheng braced his feet against its back, wanting to use the force to pull out his sword and retreat. But unexpectedly, the sword was firmly clamped by the resentful ghost's muscles, and he failed to pull it out at once, so he slowed down for a moment.

It was this moment that the resentful ghost's huge claw slammed into him, sending Zhao Rucheng flying four or five meters, falling into the thick fog, his life or death unknown!

It should be known that there are still countless wandering souls wandering in the thick fog at this time!

At this time, Jiang Wang was on the opposite side, Ling He was still entangled with wandering souls after sending his sword, and only Du Yehou, who was also guarding the battle circle, was the closest. He had long been unable to restrain himself. He had come on this trip to eliminate evil and cleanse the world, not to be sheltered and gain merit, or even become a burden!

Only a roar was heard, the sound like thunder. Du Yehou burst out his blood Qi with all his strength, and the blood Qi on his body shot up from his heavenly spirit like a tangible thing, like wolf smoke in that instant!

Blood Qi wolf smoke!

Only warriors with blood Qi strong enough to a certain degree can stimulate blood Qi wolf smoke. Even Jiang Wang could not do this.

And Du Yehou's full burst proved that he was not inferior to others.

Wrapped in tangible blood Qi, he looked like he was wearing a blood-colored battle robe. He rushed to Zhao Rucheng's side in a few steps at a speed several times faster than usual!